Metal casting apparatus



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A- WITTMOSER ETAL METAL CASTING APPARATUS Filed June 50. 1953 July 30, 1957 United States METAL CASTING APPARATUS Adalbert Wittmoser, Peter Biefang, and Franz Diitting, Gelsenkirchen, Germany, assignors to Eisenwerke Gelsenkirchen Alttiengesellschaft, Gelsenkirchen, Germany The present invention relates to metal casting apparatus.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a lubricating arrangement for metal casting molds.

In the continuous casting of solid or hollow articles it is desirable to provide a lubricant film between the cast material and the forming mold, both from the standpoint of protection of the mold, which could be, for example, a cast iron mold, which may have a core therein, and also from the standpoint of obtaining a satisfactorily smooth surface on the cast product.

The continuous maintenance of such a lubricant film is particularly difiicult in those cases Where the solid or hollow articles are cast by means of a discharge device which is movable over the surface of the metal, this type of discharge device having discharge openings which discharge the molten metal in constantly changing positions with respect to the surface of the metal.

Further, itis very difficult to achieve a uniform lubrication over the entire profile and circumference of the mold or core surface by hand methods due to the usually small distance between the bottom surface of the movable metal discharge device and the upper surface or edges of themold. For this reason, the use of mechanical lubricating devices has been attempted, these lubricating devices incorporating lubricant nozzles in the upper rim of the mold or in the wall of the mold itself over the level of the cast material. Aside from the undesirable heat effects on the lubricant nozzles arranged in the mold caused by the molten metal in and flowing into the mold, it is also very difiicult to achieve and maintain a uniform lubrication on the entire surface of the mold through such arrangement of lubricant nozzles secured on or in the mold.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lubricating device for continuous meta-l casting apparatus which will continuously and uniformly lubricate the surfaces of the mold into which the metal is cast.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a lubricating device for metal casting devices of the above type having metal discharge means which are movable along the mold member.

With the above objects in view, the present invention consists mainly in a lubricating arrangement for metal casting apparatus which comprises a hollow mold member having inner wall surfaces defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal, support'means adjacent the cavity of the hollow mold member movable along the top thereof, discharge means mounted on the support means and movable therewith over the top of the cavity of the hollow mold member for pouring molten metal into and along the cavity in contact with the inner wall surfaces thereof, and lubricant conduit means mounted on the support means movable therewith and opening at the top of the cavity of the mold member atent ice for continuously lubricating the inner wall surfaces thereof.

In a preferred form of the present invention, a stationary and a movable supporting member are provided, the movable supporting member being mounted on the stationary member for movement relative thereto and to the cavity of the mold member, the metal discharge vessel being mounted on the movable supporting member so as to move along the top of the cavity for pouring molten metal therein.

Preferably, according to the present invention, the supporting members are provided with channel means which communicate with the lubricant conduit means extending over the top of the cavity of the mold member, so as to provide a continuous conduit for supplying lubricating material to the wall surfaces of the mold member by means of the openings in the conduit means extending over the cavity.

In a device embodying the present invention, the mold member may be of a type formed by a central core portion and an outer surrounding portion spaced from the core portion so as to form an annular mold cavity therebetween, and in this form the movable supporting member carrying the metal discharge means is arranged for rotation about the center of the annular mold cavity.

According to the present invention, the conduit means carrying the lubricating material is preferably movable with the metal discharge device over the stationary mold member so as to conduct the lubricating material above the level of the metal in the mold cavity to all parts of the mold walls for uniform lubrication of the mold surfaces and about their entire circumference.

By means of suitably mounting, aligning and adjusting the lubricant conduit device it is possible to provide and maintain a uniform lubricating film between the walls, both of the inner core and the outer form wall, and the cast material, without the necessity for resorting to any other apparatus.

The supply of lubricating material to the lubricant conduit means which is associated with the movable metal discharge apparatus can be provided by suitable conduit means into which the lubricating materials may be delivered by pumping means operated either by hand or by machine.

Furthermore, the lubricant conduit means can be formed of lubricant vessels or pockets which are placed under pressure in a suitable manner, or which may be filled with lubricants by a stationary lubricant conduit apparatus which is intermittently actuated for delivery of lubricant material to the lubricant vessels in synchronism with the movements of the movable metal discharge means. Furthermore, there is the possibility, in those cases in which the discharge apparatus is not movable over the surface of the metal, of providing a lubricant conduit apparatus which is mounted on the metal discharge apparatus and is rotatable relative thereto.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view in section of a metal casting device embodying the present invention taken along line 1-1 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the device shown in Fig. l, the discharge spout being omitted.

Referring nowto the drawing, there is shown a c'ircular cast mold 1 having a core 2 in the center thereof,

the topof the cavityfor pouring molten metal thereinto.

through discharge opening 5, so that in the'movementof spout 4 along the top of cavity 3 the molten metal is poured into the cavity in constantly changing positions along the level 6 of the metal.

The stationary core 2 is secured to the stationary core supporting member 7, the latter carrying a bearing ring 8 secured thereto. Bearing ring 9 is mounted for rotation about bearing ring 8, discharge spout 4 being supported on bearing ring 9 and rotatable therewith. The means for rotating ring 9, and spout 4 therewith, may be of any suitable known type, and has therefore not been shown in the drawing.

Under discharge spout 4, conduit tubes It) and 11 are provided, being mounted at one end on rotatable bearing ring 9, tubes 10 and 11 serving to conduct lubricating material to the outer wall of core 2 and to the inner wall of mold member 1 through openings 12 and 13 provided at the free ends thereof. The position of tubes 10 and 11 is such that neither tube is directly below the opening of spout 4 so that a stream of molten metal issuing through opening 5 wiil' not impinge upon either tube or tube 11. As shown in Fig. l, conduit means are provided in each of rings 8 and 9, the channels 14 and 14 which are formed in bearing 9 communicating with the ends of tubes 16 and 11 and with a groove 16 formed by recessed adjacent surfaces of bearing rings 8 and 9, bearing ring 8 also having channels and 15 communicating with groove 16, so that a continuous conduit is formed for supplying lubricating material to the cavity 3 through openings 12 and 13.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of metal casting apparatus differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a core mold apparatus for continuous casting, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully' reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of .prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member having a mold cavity with cavity faces defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said cavity of said hollow mold member movable along the top thereof in a predetermined direction; at least one discharge means mounted on said support means and movable therewith over the top of said cavity of said hollow mold member for pouring a stream of molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said cavity faces thereof; and at least one lubricating means mounted on said support means movable therewith and arranged ahead of said discharge means in the direction of movement of said support means, said lubricating means opening at the top of said cavity of said mold member for continuously lubricating said cavity faces thereof before said stream of molten metal is poured into contact with said cavity faces.

2. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member having a mold cavity with cavity faces defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said cavity of said hollow mold member movable along the top thereof in a predetermined direction; at least one discharge vessel mounted on said support means and movable therewith and hav-- ing an aperture in the bottom thereof opening over the top of said cavity of said hollow mold member for pour-- ing a stream of molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said cavity faces thereof; and at least one lubricating means mounted on said support means movable therewith and arranged ahead of said discharge means in the direction of movement of said support means, said lubricating means opening at the top of said cavity of said mold member for continuously lubricating said cavity faces thereof before said stream of molten metal is poured into contact with said cavity faces.

3. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member having a mold cavity with cavity faces defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said cavity of said hollow mold member movable along the top thereof in a predetermined direction, said support means being formed with a channel therein; at least one discharge means mounted on said support means and movable therewith over the top of said cavity of said hollow mold member for pouring a stream of molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said cavity faces thereof; and at least one lubricant conduit means mounted on said support means movable therewith and arranged ahead of said discharge means in the direction of movement of said support means, said lubricant conduit means opening at the top of said cavity of said mold member for continuously lubricating said cavity faces thereof before said stream of molten metal is poured into contact with said cavity faces, said conduit means communicating with said channel formed in said support means and forming a continuous conduit therewith.

4. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member having a mold cavity with cavity faces r defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said cavity of said hollow mold member movable along the top thereof in a predetermined direction; at least one discharge means mounted on said support means and movable therewith over the top of said cavity of said hollow mold member for pouring a stream of-molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said cavity faces thereof; and at least one lubricant conduit means mounted on said support means movable therewith, said conduit means comprising at least two spaced elongated members extending over the top of said cavity below said discharge means, each of said tubular members having an opening therein adjacent a different one of said cavity faces of said cavity for lubricating the same, and both of said tubular members being arranged ahead of said discharge means in the direction of movement of said support means so that said cavity faces of said mold member are continuously lubricated before said stream of molten metal is poured into contact with said cavity faces.

5. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member formed by a central core portion having an outer annular wall surface, and an outer portion surrounding said core portion having an inner annular wall surface opposite and spaced from said outer annular wall surface of said core portion, said spaced annular wall surfaces defining an upwardly opening annular cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said annular cavity of said hollow mold member rotatable about the center of said annular cavity and movable along the top thereof; discharge means mounted on said support means and rotatable therewith over the top of said annular cavity of said hollow mold member for pouring molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said spaced annular wall surfaces thereof; and lubricant conduit means mounted on said support means rotatable therewith, said lubricant conduit means being circumferentially spaced from said discharge means and opening at the top of said cavity of said mold member for continuously lubricating said spaced annular wall surfaces thereof.

6. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member having inner wall surfaces defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said cavity of said hollow mold member movable along the top thereof, said support means being formed with at least two channels therein; discharge means mounted on said support means and movable therewith over the top of said cavity of said hollow mold member for pouring molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said inner wall surfaces thereof; and lubricant conduit means mounted on said support means movable therewith, said conduit means being circumferentially spaced from said discharge means and comprising at least two spaced elongated members extending over the top of said cavity below said discharge means, each of said tubular members having an opening at one end thereof adjacent a different one of said inner wall surfaces of said cavity for lubricating the same, said spaced tubular members of said conduit means respectively communicating at the other ends thereof with said channels formed in said support means and forming continuous conduits therewith.

7. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member having a mold cavity with cavity faces defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said cavity of said hollow mold member, said support means comprising a stationary supporting member and a movable supporting member mounted on said stationary supporting member movable relative thereto along said cavity in a predetermined direction; at least one discharge means mounted on said movable supporting member of said support means and movable therewith over the top of said cavity of said hollow mold member for pouring a stream of molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said cavity faces thereof; and at least one lubricant conduit means mounted on said movable supporting member of said support means movable therewith and arranged ahead of said discharge means in the direction of movement of said movable supporting member, said lubricant conduit means opening at the top of said cavity of said mold member for continuously lubricating said cavity faces thereof before said stream of molten metal is poured into contact with said cavity faces.

8. A lubricating arrangement for continuous metal casting apparatus, comprising, in combination, a hollow mold member formed by a central core portion having an outer annular wall surface, and an outer portion surrounding said core portion having an inner annular wall surface opposite and spaced from said outer annular wall surface of said core portion, said spaced annular wall surfaces defining an upwardly opening cavity for receiving molten metal; support means adjacent said cavity of said hollow mold member, said support means comprising a stationary supporting member and a rotatable supporting member mounted on said stationary supporting member for rotation relative thereto about the center of said annular cavity, said supporting members slidably contacting each other along opposite adjacent surfaces, said opposite adjacent surfaces being oppositely recessed to form a composite annular groove, each of said supporting members being formed with channel means extending therethrough opening into said composite annular groove; discharge means mounted on said rotatable supporting member of said support means and rotatable therewith over the top of said annular cavity of said hollow mold member for pouring molten metal into and along said cavity in contact with said spaced annular wall surfaces thereof; and lubricant conduit means mounted on said rotatable supporting member of said support means rotatable therewith, said lubricant conduit means being circumferentially spaced from said discharge means and extending over said cavity below said discharge means and opening at the top of said cavity of said mold member for continuously lubricating said spaced annular wall surfaces thereof, said conduit means communicating with said channel means of said rotatable supporting member and forming a continuous conduit with both said channel means and said composite groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 125,044 Guthrie Mar. 26, 1872 238,515 McElroy Mar. 8, 1881 1,503,479 Coats Aug. 5, 1924 1,949,433 Russell et al. Mar. 6, 1934 1,982,763 Russell et al. Dec. 4, 1934 2,015,111 Jacobson Sept. 24, 1935 2,174,904 Taylor Oct. 3, 1939 2,285,740 Merle June 9, 1942 2,376,518 Spence May 22, 1945 2,568,525 Waddington et al Sept. 18, 1951 2,590,311 Harter et a1 Mar. 25, 1952 2,690,600 Tarmann et al. Oct. 5, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 840,427 Germany June 9, 1952 

